Consolacion policemen are back to patrolling and inspecting the coastal area in Barangay Tayud in this September 12, 2020, photo. | Photos from Consolacion Police
In their petition, the shipping companies said that they applied for business permits early this year paying taxes and other fees equivalent to a business permit valid for a year, despite the permits’ validity lasting only half as before. The shipyards, then, expressed their objection to the 6-months validity of the business permit, but, Mayor Alegado remained unmoved by their requests and, instead, asked to produce an existing lease agreement or tenurial instrument from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources .
The shipyards tried to seek an extension of their business permit until December 30, 2021, but they were issued a Denial Letter by Alegado on June 18, 2021. They claimed to have been “singled out” because they objected to the 6-months validity of business permits.